Brunei Peacekeepers in Mindanao Philippines

BRUNEI continued its commitment to protect the ceasefire in Mindanao, Philippines, following the deployment of new peacekeepers in the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

A send-off ceremony was held at the Rimba Air Force Base yesterday, where Deputy Defence Minister First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz Hj Mohd Tamit presented the national flag and IMT arm badge to members of the 13th contingent.

Brunei joined the Malaysian-led IMT in 2004 with the primary mission of monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the Philippines military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who have been seeking for the autonomy of the Moro people since 1970s.

“To be able to lead this contingent is a great honour and I am grateful to have been presented with this opportunity,” said Lieutenant Colonel Abidin in a previous interview with local media.

Speaking at a religious ceremony in honour of the 13th contingent of IMT on Tuesday, he said the Bruneian peacekeepers underwent a two-week pre-deployment training and were briefed with updates of the ceasefire ahead of their deployment.

The contingent head explained among their responsibilities will be to monitor the situation in Mindanao and maintain the security to prevent “any undesired outcomes”.

“We are always training and we will always be prepared, because that is part of our job. Due to being part of the IMT, we have gone through our regular training regiment and fine-tuned it in a way that will benefit us once we’re there,” he added.

Meanwhile, emotions ran high yesterday morning as family members bade farewell to loved ones prior to their departure onboard the Royal Brunei Air Force CN-235 aircraft.

Harniyanty Abdullah said she was proud that her brother, Captain Haren Suhandy Abdullah, was among the few selected to participate in IMT, but added she felt sad to be away from him throughout the year-long deployment.

“Four of my siblings and my brother-in-law are in the military, but he’s the first to be deployed on a peacekeeping mission,” she said.

Hj Awang Hj Besar, whose brother-in-law Second Warrant Officer Sablee Hj Damit joined the latest contingent of IMT, echoed similar sentiments and prayed for the well-being as well as safety of the Bruneian peacekeepers in Mindanao.

“I hope they will always be in good health, so they are able to carry out their responsibilities. My advice to other families would be to remain patient and pray for their safe return,” he said.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.